Hi guys, I am working on this portrait and I definitely need some help. I am not too far along, but I want to make sure I get it right. This is my first commission, so it has to be as perfect as I can get it! Any comments, suggestions would be welcome, Elizabeth

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Have you studied Bob's thread on "How I do portraits?" Especially, e.g., post number 6, where he shows how he measures for feature placement. I've been using this technique for a month now and am very pleased. It helps me to have a solid foundation of knowing exactly where key features belong.

Thanks, I'll look at that, I haven't seen it yet. I did do my grids on the picture and the drawing which I usually don't do and that helped, but I still need improvement! Elizabeth

How much of the photo are you going to draw? I mean - are you "only" drawing their faces or will you have the bodies on there as well? From looking quickly between the photo and the drawing, the couple are much closer to each other in your version. And the woman's mouth is higher on the left side (viewer's POV) than on the photo! Otherwise great start. And you have a commission! How exciting, congratulations!

Just a repeat, first congratulations, second put a ruler across the womans eye then slide it down to the nose then the mouth. You straightened them both out rather than leaving them on an angle. You're going to do great with this!
Paulette

Hi guys, thanks for all the congratulations!! and the comments. I have been working on the lady's face more than the man's, his is annoying me right now because I can't get anything right when I start on him! She seems to be alot easier right now. I tried to angle her glasses and I guess I should have mentioned that I am not drawing them exactly as in the picture, I put them side by side. The couple's grandson is having this portrait done, the couple is deceased, so I thought it would be sweet to have them closer than they were in the photo. I have been doing my grid and measuring just as Bob has instructed, so I hope this looks better than the first post. Thanks for all the help! Elizabeth

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Hi Ewall - firstly, I just turned the drawing for you (and for me - I was getting a crick in the neck from looking at it sideways ) I'll edit more into this post, when I have looked at the two drawings side by side.
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EDIT: I think the nose is better now, but the mouth still needs to be lowered a little more on the left side (Viewers POV). When I put a ruler over her mouth on the photo and move it upward, at one point only the right side is showing, which doesn't happen when I do it on your drawing. I think you are doing a great job getting the contours of her face right (that soft old-lady-look), and what is left of the man from the first drawing looks fine as well! It's a nice idea to put them closer together. I look forward to see more of this.

Thank you so much for your help!! I never know how to turn my posts, and sometimes my computer is soooo sloooow it just makes me mad to try! I will try to fix her mouth and get started on what I took off the man's face! It will be later tonight or tomorrow, my daughter and her husband are moving OUT of my house and into ONE OF THEIR OWN so you know I have to help!! I will post again when I get a chance!! Elizabeth

Hey no worries! I wouldn't know how to do it in the posts either, so I saved it on my computer and then turned it there! And congratulations on getting your house back! (And for you daughter to have found a place of her own!) I have relied on my parents many times when I have moved - it seems to be in the job-description that you have to help on these occasions.

Good morning, this is my latest update on the portrait I've been working on. What do you think?
I think his glasses and mouth are too dark. Elizabeth

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Hi Elizabeth,
Its looking pretty good. The eyes are bothering me a bit. So I am going to send you on a mission, I want you to stop and do lesson U02. The eye is extreme in the lesson, but will give you a good basis. Then take a look at facial aging U06, just to see haw the face ages.
Paulette

I don't think his glasses and mouth are too dark, and I think as you put more shading into the face the glasses won't look so stark. You are making good progress.

Elizabeth, you are on the right track here, but the eyes are the problem area. They are too large in both individuals.

Do some careful measurement of the eyes in relationship to the glasses they are wearing. Remember to draw what you see, not what you think you see.